Norway became the first international country to deploy Lockheed Martin's PANTERA(TM) targeting pod when the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) participated in Exercise Maple Flag in May.

Exercise Maple Flag is an international air combat exercise held at the Canadian Forces' Base in Cold Lake, Canada. It provided Canadian and allied aircrews with realistic combined air operations training in a modern simulated air combat environment. Participating countries included Canada, Belgium, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Norway, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore and the United States. The NATO Airborne Early Warning Control Force from Geilenkirchen, Germany, also participated in the exercise.

"Because of the enhanced capability delivered by PANTERA, Norwegian pilots were consistently assigned the most challenging targets," said Morri Leland, business development manager for PANTERA. "PANTERA enabled earlier target acquisition, giving the pilots more time for threat awareness and weapon delivery. Ultimately, PANTERA's performance really changed the rules of the game."

PANTERA is the export version of the Sniper XR targeting pod, which was selected by the U.S. Air Force as the world's most advanced targeting pod in a 2001 competition. PANTERA sets the world standard for long-range target detection to help aircrews perform their missions at safe distances against heavily defended targets.

PANTERA incorporates a high-resolution mid-wave third generation forward looking infrared (FLIR), infrared pointer, dual-mode laser, day television, laser spot tracker and advanced algorithms in a lightweight, aerodynamic pod. PANTERA's long range FLIR and TV imagery allows pilots to avoid enemy air defenses and preserve national assets. Its unique common aperture and rock- steady stabilization permits sub-sonic and supersonic performance not possible with other pods. The pod is designed for one-half the life cycle cost and much easier maintenance than all other targeting pods.

Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services.

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin